Instrumental Ensembles

Chamber Ensemble

Chamber Ensemble explores music for duets, trios, quartets and quintets. Musical styles covered are: classical, jazz, ragtime and popular music. Under the direction of Roy Allen, Jr., tenor saxophonist of the Dallas Wind Symphony and recording artist, the Chamber Ensemble will perform on campus and throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth community.

Digital Music Studio/Composition

The state of the art digital music studio at Brookhaven College offers students a chance to explore different aspects of electronic music with an emphasis on composition. Students work with MIDI sequencing, notation, sound synthesis and sampling using a variety of synthesizers, computer platforms and equipment. The studio is under direction of Keith Umbach.

Flute Ensemble

The Flute Ensemble was organized in 1985 by conductor and flutist Dr. Pamela Youngblood. The group performs a wide variety of music using all members of the flute family, including the piccolo, alto and bass flutes. In addition to presenting concerts throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the ensemble also performs on campus each semester. In 1995, this group was named the outstanding ensemble in the professional category at the Texas Flute Society's annual festival.

Guitar Ensemble

Internationally recognized classical guitarist and recording artist Carlo Pezzimenti directs the Guitar Ensemble. The students work mainly on chamber music and perform each semester.

Handbell Ensemble

The Handbell Ensemble offers both intermediate and advanced classes each semester and is directed by Bonnie Riddle. The ensemble consists of 12 to 14 students and performs three to four times each semester.

Jazz Combo

The Jazz Combo is under the direction of Roy Allen, Jr., director for instrumental studies. The Jazz Combo explores beginning jazz literature for a small combo and rhythm section. They perform in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as many on-campus events.

Electric Guitar Ensemble

This ensemble consists of electric guitars with a rhythm section. Students develop sight-reading and improvisational skills while performing a variety of jazz styles including swing, Latin, funk and blues.

Keyboard Ensemble

Directed by Octavio Gutierrez, the Keyboard Ensemble includes piano duos, duets and multiple keyboards. The class is open to all skill levels and explores traditional, classical and pop/modern repertoire using a Roland digital piano lab. All performers participate in an end-of-the-semester performance.

In 2006, the ensemble was invited to perform at the International Academic Festival at the University of Guanajuato in Mexico.

Lab Band

The Brookhaven College Lab Band is a 17-20 piece band consisting of trumpets, trombones, saxophones and a full rhythm section. The group explores various musical jazz styles in the big band setting. Each year several performances are scheduled throughout the semester and presented at Brookhaven College as well as in the surrounding communities.

String Ensemble

Under the direction of Octavio Gutierrez, the String Ensemble reads and performs literature for small ensembles.

Vocal Ensembles

Brookhaven Choral Society

Formed in 1986, the Brookhaven Choral Society consists of more than 60 auditioned singers and performs frequently in the community. The choir has performed at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, presented a featured concert with the City of Plano Civic Chorus at the Texas Choral Directors Association in 1992, and in the summer of 1998, visited Munich, Salzburg, Graz, Vienna and Venice during its first European tour. The group now tours every two years, most recently in Italy. The Choral Society is directed by Melody Gamblin-Bullock.

Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Directed by Sue Cruse, this class focuses on performance in contemporary vocal styles, including jazz and popular music.

Opera Workshop

Directed by by Susan Wyatt, this class provides students an opportunity to perform repertoire from opera, operetta and musical theater.

Vivace

Vivace is a costumed madrigal ensemble that performs both sacred and secular madrigal and chamber choral music spanning the last eight centuries. Vivace is conducted by Melody Gamblin-Bullock.